This morning, Transport and Public Works Minister Robin Carlisle, Minister of Education, Donald Grant, City of Cape Town Traffic Services and the Safely Home team, conducted a scholar transport operation at three schools in Mitchell’s Plain. The operation took place at Springdale Primary, West-End Primary and Jamaica Primary School on Merrydale Avenue. Vehicles were stopped and checked for roadworthiness, appropriate documentation and suitability to operate as scholar transport.

Five drivers were arrested for operating without the appropriate operating license and a total of eight vehicles were suspended. Vehicles were suspended for various defects ranging from faulty tyres to defective seat belts. A total of 21 driver’s license related fines were issued including eleven for driving without a driver’s license.

“Although the situation has improved since we first started conducting these operations three years ago, it is nowhere near being satisfactory. I understand the difficulties that parents face in getting their children to school, but government cannot ensure their children’s safety on its own. While I believe we need to greatly increase the number of traffic police available in the Province, parents must also take every practical step to ensure that the transport used is safe and reliable and that the driver has the relevant records and authorization. Province, law enforcement, schools and parents can make scholar transport better together,” said Minister Carlisle.

Scholar transport law enforcement is an on-going process that takes place weekly across the province.

Children travelling in suspended vehicles were transferred to minibuses provided by the Department of Transport and Public Works.